Flamengo agree deal to send player to Benfica | OneFootball

Alan Santos, who even made appearances for Flamengo’s senior team, is heading to Portugal

Another youngster from Flamengo’s youth academy is on his way to Portuguese football. This Friday (14), the Rubro-Negro agreed to send forward Alan Santos to Benfica, in Portugal. The 19-year-old will still have a percentage of his rights tied to the Most Beloved.

According to the pages ‘Flazoeiro’ and ‘FlaBase’, Flamengo will not receive a fee for the transfer, but will keep 50% of a future sale. According to journalist Venê Casagrande, Flamengo decided to negotiate the player because they believed Alan Santos would not have space in Leonardo Jardim’s squad.

As no better offers arrived, Flamengo decided to release the player in the hope that, one day, that 50% will be worth more in the future than holding on to 100%. Alan Santos will initially strengthen Benfica’s B team and, if he shines, will be promoted to the main squad.

WHAT ARE ALAN SANTOS’ NUMBERS AT FLAMENGO?

Alan Santos has three official matches for Flamengo, with no goals or assists. Those appearances came at the start of the year, when Mengão opted to use the under-20 squad for the opening matches of the Campeonato Carioca. In addition, the forward was part of the mid-season training camp in Portugal, but failed to ‘win over’ Leonardo Jardim.

The forward stood out in this year’s Under-20 Libertadores, when Flamengo finished in second place. Alan Santos was the player with the most goal involvements in the tournament: three goals and one assist. In the top scorers’ ranking, he finished in second place.

A ‘CLEARANCE SALE’ TO PORTUGAL?

In 2026, Flamengo also agreed to other releases at no cost while keeping a percentage, all to Portugal. The most recent of them was Rayan Lucas, the new signing for Alverca (POR). Another case was Kaio Nóbrega, who joined Estoril (POR). David Viana, meanwhile, agreed to join Portimonense.

WHAT IS THE AUTHOR’S OPINION, AFTER ALL?

— It’s a ‘double-edged sword,’ this situation. Do you keep the player, knowing he’ll never have space and will only lose value? Or do you let him go for free and hope he explodes in Europe and brings financial compensation? It’s not a simple solution. But is there really no way for Flamengo to make even a measly one million euros? Or reais, at least? — Pedro Paulo Catonho began.

— Alan Santos has shown that he has potential, if he is developed patiently. He is only 19 years old. We have a recent example in André Luiz: he wasn’t good enough for Flamengo, but he was sold for 500,000 euros to Portugal in 2024 and today he is worth more than R$ 110 million —, he added.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.